This week, we’re joined by romance author Lucy Wilson-Tagoe, who longtime readers may also know by her pen name Dylan Allen, to talk writing, reinvention, and her newest release, To Catch a Sinner.

And because this is What the Smut, we obviously do not stay on one topic for very long. Andddddd we may have forgot to hit the record button...

Lucy takes us behind the scenes of her writing process, from plotting complicated stories in spreadsheets to leaving just enough room for the feral chaos to take over. We also talk about the characters who completely hijacked her life, the tiny character details she obsesses over, and why apparently knowing exactly how someone laughs is essential information.

Then we dive into To Catch a Sinner, the first book in Lucy’s new romantic suspense duet.

 Mary also shares why she immediately thought this story needed to become a miniseries, while Cortney patiently waits for the audiobook (its out NOW) because we all know she is our resident audio girlie. 

If you love romance books, romantic suspense, indie romance authors, audiobook romance, friends-to-lovers, morally gray characters, bookish podcasts, author interviews, or behind-the-scenes conversations about writing, this episode is for you.

Grab your favorite snacky snack, your beverage of choice, and come hang out while we talk books, writing, side quests, gummy bears, laundry services, and all the chaos in between.

And as always, slide into our DMs and tell us what you’re reading, watching, or what completely unhinged thought has been living rent-free in your head this week.

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This week, we’re bringing back one of our OG bookish chats featuring Samantha Brinn (before she was a published romance author) and doing a full deep dive into Kiss and Don't Tell by Tessa Meghan Quinn.

But first, Cortney and Mary are checking in with a little summer chaos. We’re talking current romance reads, the books living rent-free in our heads, reading slumps, and our ever-growing TBRs.

Then we jump back into our original conversation with Sam to talk all things Vancouver Agitators.

Whether Kiss and Don't Tell  is one of your favorite Meghan Quinn books or it has been sitting untouched on your TBR, come hang out with us while we revisit the romance and Meghan just released that these babies are coming to stores because they were picked up by Bloom and will be re-releasing soon with new covers!!!

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We’re throwing it back to 2024 for the perfect summer rerelease, Book Nerds!

This week, we’re bringing back one of our OG bookish chats featuring Zoey from ZozosBookshelf and doing a full deep dive into It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey.

But first, Cortney and Mary are checking in with a little summer chaos. We’re talking current romance reads, the books living rent-free in our heads, reading slumps, our ever-growing TBRs, reality TV, and somehow the fact that our kids don’t understand what life was like when you actually had to put a DVD into a player.

Then we jump back into our original conversation with Zoey to talk all things Piper and Brendan.

If you love grumpy/sunshine romance, small-town romance, enemies-to-lovers vibes, he falls first, obsessed heroes, spicy romance books, and a FMC who has some serious character growth, this one is for you.

Whether It Happened One Summer is one of your favorite Tessa Bailey books or it has been sitting untouched on your TBR, come hang out with us while we revisit the romance, the spice, the fishermen, and all the chaos.

Spoiler Warning: We deep dive into the entire book, so if you haven’t read It Happened One Summer yet and don’t want spoilers, you will want to stop the episode when we give the spoiler warning and the come back afterwards!

Grab your favorite snacky snack, your beverage of choice, and come see what the smut we’re talking about this week.

And as always, slide into our DMs and tell us: Who would YOU have cast as Piper, Brendan, Hannah, and Fox?

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What's up, Book Nerds!

We finally got to record an episode together in the same room (yes... from a hotel room 😂), and we're recapping one of our favorite romance book events of the year...Smutmas in the Smokies!

From meeting incredible romance authors and audiobook narrators to discovering way too many new books for our already out-of-control TBRs, we're sharing everything that made this Christmas-in-July signing so unforgettable.

If you're a fan of romance books, indie romance authors, book signings, audiobook narrators, BookTok recommendations, hockey romance, dark romance, rom-coms, fantasy romance, or just listening to two book besties spiral into chaos, this episode is for you.

Don't Miss

Follow us on Instagram for our signed book giveaway from Smutmas!
Check out the incredible bookish vendors we mention throughout the episode.
Tell us what romance books should be added to our ever-growing TBR.

If you loved this episode, be sure to leave us a review, follow the podcast, and share it with your favorite Book Bestie. Every review helps more romance readers find our little corner of bookish chaos.

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On this weeks episode of What the Smut are You Talking About Podcast we had USA Today bestselling romance author Lauren Rowe joining us for an episode full of romance books, behind-the-scenes writing stories, found family, football romance, golden retriever heroes, and absolute chaos.

Lauren's newest release, Chasing the Rush, is out TODAY and if you love a good Football Romance, you don't want to miss this one!

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We officially made it to the end of Season One of What the Smut Are You Talking About Podcast and we honestly can't believe it.

This week we're looking back at everything that made this season unforgettable. From our favorite romance books and hilarious author interviews to the behind-the-scenes chaos that listeners never got to see. We talk about the moments that made us laugh until we cried, the interviews that hit us right in the feels, and the incredible growth this little bookish podcast has experienced since relaunching earlier this year.

We also spill some behind-the-scenes confessions, share our biggest recording mishaps (looking at you, Parker 👀), celebrate hitting over 1,000 podcast downloads, (because we lost it att and started from scratch) and look ahead to everything we have planned for Season Two.

Whether you've been with us since the beginning or just recently found the podcast, thank you for being part of our little corner of the romance community. Your downloads, reviews, messages, and support mean more than you'll ever know.

While we're taking a short summer break from our regular schedule, we're not disappearing! We'll still be dropping bonus episodes, re-released author interviews, event coverage from Smutmas in the Smokies, and plenty of unhinged chaos while we get everything ready for Season Two.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and send us your favorite romance book recommendations because let's be honest...our TBR can always get longer.

We'll see you in Season Two, Book Nerds. 

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This week on What the Smut Are You Talking About Podcast, we're joined by romance author Ambar Cordova for a conversation filled with books, chaos, cowboy romance, writing confessions, and some of the most unhinged research we've heard all season.

Ambar writes real, raw, and romantic multicultural love stories that tackle life's messier moments while still delivering the happily ever after romance readers crave. We chat about her journey from reader to author, how a Notes App idea turned into a publishing career, and why she believes writing chose her.

We also dive into her upcoming release, Leave Me Again (releases 6/26/26), the first book in the brand-new Riverbank Ranch shared world series, co-created with romance authors Holly Luckie and Lo Everett.

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This week on What the Smut Are You Talking About Podcast, we are joined by New York Times bestselling romance author, Sara Cate for an author interview full of romance books, writing chaos, messy men, kink clubs, and unhinged thoughts.

Sara is known for her kink-positive, queer-friendly romance books with emotional plots, toe-curling heat, and book boyfriends who are absolute walking chaos. We talk all about her writing process, what it’s like to plot a book only for the characters to go completely off the rails, and why the messiest fictional men are sometimes the most fun to write.

Whether you’re a longtime Sara Cate reader, obsessed with the Salacious Players Club, loving the Salacious Legacy series, or just looking for your next spicy romance book recommendation, this episode is for you.

Grab your beverage of choice, settle in, and come hang out and see What the Smut we are Talking About this week. 

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This week on What the Smut Are You Talking About, we're welcoming back romance author Victoria Wilder for a chaotic, bookish catch-up that is packed with romance books, writing talk, unhinged thoughts, and all things romantic suspense.

Victoria joins us to chat about her writing journey, her fan-favorite Bourbon Boys series, and her upcoming release, Rumors & Whiskey, the first book in her brand-new Whiskey Women series. We dive into everything from feral gremlin writing habits and deadline panic to hidden identities, found family, witness protection, true crime podcasts, and the art of writing grumpy-not-cowboy book boyfriends that readers can't stop obsessing over.

Whether you're a longtime Victoria Wilder fan, a lover of romantic suspense, or you're looking for your next romance book obsession, this episode is for you.

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Is you life chaotic? Same. So naturally, we’re talking about the romance books we run back to when the world feels like one giant dumpster fire. In this episode, we’re sharing our ultimate comfort reads that we consider our Roman Empire. The books, series, and fictional men that live rent-free in our heads forever.

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